Sonny Liston, byname of Charles Liston, also called the Bear (born May 8, 1932?, St. Francis county, Arkansas, U.S.—died December 30, 1970, Las Vegas, Nevada) American boxer who was world heavyweight boxing champion from September 25, 1962, when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in the first round in Chicago, until February 25, 1964, when he stopped fighting Cassius Clay (afterward Muhammad Ali) before the seventh round at Miami Beach, Florida.

Sonny Liston, 1963.

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Liston, the son of a tenant farmer, served two long terms in prison, where he is said to have learned to box. Although he gave his birth year as 1932, there is evidence that he might have begun his ring career as early as 1934, at the age of 17, under the name of Charles (“Sailor”) Liston. If that is true, he was 45 years old when he won the championship.

Liston was noted for his punching power and durability. From 1953 (his first recorded fight) through 1970 Liston, who stood 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres) tall and weighed 215 pounds (97.5 kg), had 54 bouts, winning 39 by knockouts and losing only 4. He defended his title successfully only once, scoring another first-round knockout over Patterson, but in his next bout he complained of an injury after six rounds and refused to continue fighting against Clay. In a rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965, Liston was knocked out in the first round. On January 5, 1971, he was found dead at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. His death certificate recorded his death date as December 30, 1970.

Sonny Liston defeating Floyd Patterson, 1962.

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On February 25, 1964, Clay challenged Sonny Liston for the heavyweight championship of the world. Liston was widely regarded as the most intimidating, powerful fighter of his era. Clay was a decided underdog. But in one of the most stunning upsets in sports history, Liston retired to his corner after six rounds, and Clay became the new champion. Two days later Clay shocked the boxing...

...round. On June 20, 1960, he regained the title with a fifth-round knockout of Johansson. Patterson remained heavyweight champion until Sept. 25, 1962, when he was knocked out in the first round by Sonny Liston in Chicago. He later was defeated by Liston and Muhammad Ali in his attempts to recapture the world championship. In 1968 Patterson lost to Jimmy Ellis, World Boxing Association...

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(1932?-1970). American boxer Sonny Liston was world heavyweight boxing champion from September 25, 1962, when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in the first round in Chicago, Illinois, until February 25, 1964, when he stopped fighting Cassius Clay (afterward Muhammad Ali) before the seventh round at Miami Beach, Florida.